India vs Australia 1st ODI: Virat Kohli had THIS player in mind as a replacement for Hardik Pandya

India vs Australia 1st ODI: Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the pre-match presser has said that Ravindra Jadeja can replace Hardik Pandya in the ODI series if he is eventually banned for the first two ODIs.

VIrat Kohli said the team wasn't worried over the controversy surrounding Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspAP

Amid the growing controversy around Hardik Pandya's inappropriate comments on Koffee with Karan recently, the Indian team is all set to face Australia in a three-match ODI series starting with the first ODI on Saturday. The Indian squad for the series was announced by the BCCI on Friday which included both KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya. However, with pressure building, the Indian board formed a six-member panel to probe into the matter and also suspended the two cricketers.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the first ODI, Kohli said the team wasn't worried about the controversy as the team had players who could fit into the squad as a replacement. "We played in India against the West Indies with a finger spinner and a wrist spinner. So it's good that we have someone like Jadeja who can do the all-rounder's role if a scenario like that occurs," Kohli said in the press conference.

He also spoke about the team's preparations ahead of the ODI opener and what the team combination might be like. A number of ODI specialists, including former Indian captain MS Dhoni, make a comeback into the squad for the final leg of the long tour. Apart from Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav and Yuzvendra Chahal are also a part of the Indian squad for the ODI series. Kohli further added that the team is not worried about team combination if Hardik and Rahul are banned as they have enough bench strength to fill in for the places.

"So we are not too stressed as a team (about the Pandya situation) because you'll always have things that you can do in terms of creating that balance for the side. And hence, we keep players who can provide balance with bat and ball as a backup anyway," he added. Kohli concluded by saying that he is happy with the current team combination and assured that it will be not tinkered very much leading to the 2019 World Cup.

After the first ODI on Saturday, both teams play the next two ODIs on Tuesday and Friday. While Australia have already announced their playing XI, the Men in Blue might do so ahead of the toss on Saturday.

India vs Australia 1st ODI: Virat Kohli had THIS player in mind as a replacement for Hardik PandyaDescription:India vs Australia 1st ODI: Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the pre-match presser has said that Ravindra Jadeja can replace Hardik Pandya in the ODI series if he is eventually banned for the first two ODIs. Times Now